Proving the dead Maloidian’s threat as true.
“Inform Olin to draw back until the area is clear.”Cylo clenched his jaw.“We will head to the surface.”
“Eleven minutes remaining, Cylo,” Fyca said.
“Until what?”the female asked.
“Now is not the time.”Cylo took his blaster and headed out the door.“Stay close.”
She did, on his heels, but Hiossu hesitated.
Cylo clutched his tunic and yanked, bringing their gazes in line.His patience was nonexistent.“We are destroying this place.Do you wish to remain?”
“No.”Hiossu stumbled back then fell into position behind the female.
Along the passage, they hurried, with Cylo casting glances over his shoulder to ensure they trailed him.The Maloidian favored his side, as expected.The female seemed unstable on her feet, but she didn’t utter a word of complaint.When they breached the second level, an alarm blared, proving someone had lived.He cursed.It didn’t matter.Getting the female to safety did.Hiossu hadn’t been part of the plan, but he might serve some purpose if the data on the cubes was useless.
“There’s another way out,” she said, stopped on the second level’s landing, and slouched against the wall.
Cylo gazed into her good eye then lingered on the daintiness of her nose and her enticing mouth.“Are you certain?”
“I saw a map of this place.”She moaned, rolling a shoulder.“And when we got here, the Yithians first took us toward the beach.”
“She speaks truth,” Hiossu said.
Cylo cupped her unblemished cheek, soft despite what she’d endured.A data cube made her tunic bulge.His arm hung limp at his side, and his knee threatened to collapse.Hope sparked to life.The beach was perhaps far enough for them to not suffer the brunt of the explosions.“Lead the way, ensa.”
Her chest rose in a sharp inhale, then she bolted, bumping into walls like her balance was off.With Hiossu between them, Cylo could do nothing to help.At one point, she doubled over and vomited.When Hiossu reached out to her, she straightened, wiped her mouth with the hand holding the dagger, and took off again.
The cascade of her vibrant hair lured Cylo, serving as a beacon he was compelled to follow.
When she ducked, revealing an armed Yithian, it wasn’t enough time for Cylo to react.The blaster shot hit Hiossu in the chest, sending him to the floor and skidding back.She screamed, threw herself at the Yithian, and plunged her dagger into his eye.He roared and thrust her away, granting Cylo a chance to fire.He didn’t hesitate.
She scrambled to Hiossu’s side and raised wide eyes to Cylo.“Is he dead?”
Activating his O.D.I.with his nose, he scanned the Maloidian.It didn’t heal, but it could diagnose.With a grunt, he said, “Step back.Let me lift him.”
How, he didn’t know.He clenched his jaw when he rested on his knee.Then, with a dip and her help, Hiossu draped over Cylo’s shoulder.She clasped his elbow, helping him to stand.
“Let us go, ensa,” he said, flashing her a smile.
She blinked, swiveled, and snatched the blaster from the dead Yithian before pushing onward.Her steps faltered more often.The skin around her bruises had taken on a deep purple tinge.What had these xemi done to her?He was tempted to awaken Hiossu and pin him to a wall, to extract every painful secret he harbored.
She halted in front of a Maloidian steel door.No amount of yanking on the handle opened it.Cylo leaned against the tunnel wall and slid Hiossu to the floor.He clambered to his feet, swallowing a groan at the renewed agony locking his knee, and joined her.He nudged her to the side and handed her his blaster.With his good hand, he clasped the lever and pushed.The door cranked open on silent hinges.
Salty air hit him in the face.He grinned at the female resting against the door’s frame, clasping two blasters to her chest.A weak smile teased her lips, but her blinks were lazy, her eyes glazed.His joy faltered.She needed a med-E.D.
“Come,” he said, lumbered to Hiossu, and wormed him onto his shoulder.
They entered the cool tunnel with bright sunlight at the end.The floor changed from metal to black sand.Waves crashed onto the shore, their gentle hush soothing his hearing and enhancing her ragged breathing.
He tapped his O.D.I.and caught her hand.“Fyca, three to port to medical.”
“Head to safety.”Fyca’s voice broke up.“Explosions in seven.Kuta has…” Crackle.Hiss.“Recalled with Yithian ship… Find shelter.”
“Shit,” she muttered.“You planted bombs?”She whipped her gaze away, but he caught her glower.
“Yes.We want to stop the—”
